My favourite photograph by cricketing legend Graeme Fowler

THE cricketing legend, 59, recalls his long friendship with Ian “Beefy” Botham.

The cricketing legend, 59, recalls his long friendship with Ian “Beefy” Botham

“This picture captures the moment I shook hands with fellow batsman Ian Botham [now Sir Ian] after I had scored a century against the West Indies during the Second Test at Lord’s on June 29, 1984. It was an incredible moment.

As an opening batsman, the sheer physicality of the West Indies’ attack was enormous. They had three, sometimes four, bowlers who had the ability to bowl around the 90mph mark. Getting a century against them was great because they were the world’s best.

Beefy and I met properly at the county ground in Taunton, Somerset, in 1982 when I was selected for the Ashes tour. He took me out and thrust a glass of whisky in my face. I told him I didn’t drink it, but he said, “You do now.”

When I continued to shake my head, he put me in a headlock.

I had a choice – try to fight one of the strongest men I’d ever met, drink the whisky or stay in the headlock until he let me go. I chose the last option. After about 20 minutes, he said, “If you’re not going to drink this, you’re still going to have it,” and poured it over my head. Then he released me.

It was an unusual encounter but a mutual respect was formed – he proved he was the dominant male, I proved I wouldn’t give in. Ever since, we’ve been friends through thick and thin.

I think I was a curiosity to Beefy at first – a little skinny bloke who had turned up out of nowhere. But he respected how much I got stuck in when I played and I had an ability to relate to him.

PH

'My life would be so much poorer without him'

He’s also capable of great kindness. In 2004 I suffered my first bout of clinical depression, and Beefy arranged to meet me for lunch. I wasn’t keen, but I managed to talk a little. Halfway through he asked what I was doing on Saturday. I said I didn’t know and he said, “Well, I do. I’ve spoken to your wife, Sarah, and you’re coming to Spain with me and some mates for a few days.”

He thought the sunshine would do me good.

I can’t remember a lot of that trip because my head wasn’t working as it should. What I do remember is that I felt safe and the black dog of depression faded a little. Beefy had a clear understanding of how to help.

A lot of his time has been spent fundraising for his charity foundation. When he started his walks, 80 per cent of children with leukaemia died. He found that unacceptable so he said he’d change it by walking from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

The first time I joined him was on the Yorkshire coast. When we dined out one evening, Beefy ordered mussels, which made him violently sick. I worried that he wouldn’t be able to walk the next day but he set off at an even faster pace than usual. His mindset was, “Right, let’s get this over with.” He’s like no human being I’ve ever met. He has an iron constitution.

My life would be so much poorer without him. I know that if I got run over and died and Sarah was made unemployed, he would look after our family. That’s just him. I always appear to have been in his debt. No matter how many times I thank him, it will never be enough.”